Recommended a highly resolving cartridge

Nice comparison of the 20 and the 1000X Ricky.

The bass on the 1000X must be bloody good because the ART20 is no slouch in that area. Same consideration with the soundstage. The ART20 is not 2D so the ART1000X must be stunning.

Thanks for doing the comparison and nice to see that the superiority of the 1000X doesn’t shade the ART20. I have read in one review of the 20 that the reviewer stated that the ART20 had parallels with the ART1000 he had previously reviewed. Not the same but similarities. The ART20 was developed a couple of years after the 1000 so I suspect that the sound of the 1000 was the benchmark they used when voicing the sound during the development of the later ART20.

I’m glad you have had the opportunity to hear both and share that with us. Thank you.

I've looked forward to the reports to be made between the ART 20 vs ART 1000x.

The initial descriptions are good and the differences detected are with similarities to a comparison of same Brand Cart's I was once party to. There is opportunity to have much extended experiences with the ART's in conjunction with the 1000x taking on more usage hours, the info supplied will become more valuable to others with an interest in such models.

 It is also good to see how recollections of other Brand Cart's having been experienced in use, with a not too different price tag are a comparison.  

With there being approx' ($2K - £2K - Euro 2K) additional price for the 1000x, I am sure there is a lot of Thread visits to come, where there is a thread like this one.   

Happy to offer my descriptions everyone! I will certainly keep up with more comments as the hours roll on as well as when I switch back to the ART20. I feel very happy and fortunate to own both the ART20 and 1000x and do not regret drawing twice from the AT well whatsoever. They offer different flavors (in a nutshell, the ART20 is cleaner sounding, the 1000x warmer/fuller. And yes, while the ART20 has a fabulous frequency range / presentation, the 1000x’s bass is deeper and more prominent in comparison. And again while the ART20 has a terrific soundstage width and depth, the 1000x is just that much more exaggerated - just downright phenomenal (assuming you like that sort of thing which I very much do - If I may pat myself on the back, describing the 1000x’s soundstage as "cathedral like" is apt). Bottom line at this point in my analysis is if like me, you’re a ART20 owner and take the leap to also own the 1000x you won’t regret it for a moment and that addition will not make your ART20 redundant. 

OP here, and I’m still delighted with my AT carts I learned about via this thread. However one recommendation that didn’t come up surprisingly in the thread is a DS Audio Optical Cartridge. According to what I've read it offers the highest resolution with immense soundstage, super quiet / black background etc. Well I stumbled onto a DS 003 + compatible EQ for nearly half off and took the plunge. They should arrive early next week, I’ll be sure to offer my listening notes especially compared to the ATs. 

From ART20→ART1000X→DS Audio DS003👍

@fastricky 

You've been kind to your ears👍

Run that a couple months, what's on deck?

Soundsmith, Decca...?

Living the dream.